Bachelor of Podiatry

Course summary

The Bachelor of Podiatry prepares students for entry into professional podiatry practice. Podiatry is a branch of health care devoted to the study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower leg. Within the field of podiatry, practitioners can focus on many different specialty areas, including surgery, sports medicine, biomechanics, geriatrics, paediatrics and primary care.

The degree aims to educate students to become knowledgeable, skilled, empathetic, ethical and innovative professionals who are able to provide effective assessment and intervention for people of different ages, who exhibit health disorders.

Honours: The course includes an embedded Honours program for eligible students, which can be studied concurrently during the Bachelor degree course.

Learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

Graduate Attribute

Course Learning Outcome

Intellectual rigour

Apply critical analysis, prudent judgement and the use of research/evidence to inform clinical/professional practice.

Teaching methods

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions, simulations, clinical practice, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit. Students will be expected to undertake clinical placements external to the University campuses.

Career opportunities

This degree prepares graduates for entry into professional podiatry practice. Podiatrists can work individually or as part of a team, in varied settings and with clients of all ages. The majority of podiatry employment is in private practice, but podiatrists also have the opportunity to work in community health settings, hospitals and with specialised health teams such as in diabetic care, to provide health promotion and education, to undertake research, and work with children, athletes and older people.

Professional placement

Students will complete approximately 1 000 hours of professional placement in various settings throughout the four years of study. These settings include but are not limited to public hospital rotations, private practice placements and rural health locations. Visit scu.edu.au/healthplacements

Professional recognition

Southern Cross University is undertaking accreditation from the Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council (ANZPAC). Subject to this accreditation, graduates of the Bachelor of Podiatry will be able to seek national registration as podiatry practitioners with the Podiatry Board of Australia. The accreditation process is expected to be completed mid-2016

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

Related links

Learning Resources

MySCU is a student's point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.

The web-based study environment Blackboard Learn delivers an advanced online learning environment for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces, classrooms, and discussion boards. They can share files, presentations and applications. If a tutorial or lecture is recorded, students can view it afterwards.

Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.

The SCU Library provides a wide range of services that include face-to-face and online help, and access to print and electronic resources.

The Academic Skills team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, assignment reviews and small group or one-on-one face-to-face, phone or Skype consultations during business hours 9am to 4.30pm. Appointments can be made via the MySCU Hub 'Connect Now' button or on the Academic Skills home page. Students can also book appointments online in Career Hub.

The Studiosity service provides online after-hours study support for SCU students. This service is available from 4pm to midnight Sunday to Friday via the 'Connect Now' button on MySCU Hub or from a link in nominated unit learning sites. The Studiosity service offers generic writing feedback and live online chat assistance for foundational concepts and study skills.

Equipment and facilities

Southern Cross University provides students with modern well equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audiovisual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.

Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, teaching areas and teaching and learning resources including simulation equipment, clinical learning spaces within on-campus clinics, anatomy and physiology laboratories and biomechanics laboratories.

Table of contents

Admission requirements

Applicants who do not meet Rule 2 Section 1 - English Language Proficiency subsection must demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 in each subtest or equivalent as required by the Podiatry Board of Australia.

An applicant who has completed a Certificate III qualification will not be admitted solely on the basis of this qualification.

Course requirements

To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Podiatry a candidate shall successfully complete the equivalent of thirty two (32) units (384 credit points) comprising:

all units listed in Part A; and

one (1) elective unit from Part B university elective units

To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Podiatry with Honours, a candidate shall successfully complete the equivalent of thirty two (32) units (384 credit points) comprising:

all units listed in Part C

Students who enter the Honours stream will be required to:

Successfully complete all units in years 3 and 4 of the Honours stream on their first attempt;

Maintain a Credit grade average (GPA of at least 5.0) for years 3 and 4.

Students must pass all units of study on their first attempt to continue with the Hons program, maintain a GPA of at least 5.0 (Credit grade average) and comply with these requirements.

Progression in clinic-based units

Candidates are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of any two (2) clinic units.

Candidates are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 18 months between study of a theory unit that relates specifically to a particular clinic unit.

Subsequent to Progression in clinic-based units requirements (a) and (b) above, candidates who have an interrupted study sequence of more than 18 months will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be required to undertake a specified supported professional experience placement to ensure clinic currency prior to continuation of the course.

Advanced standing

Candidates who have completed a Certificate III will not be granted any advanced standing solely on the basis of this qualification.

Candidates who have completed the Bachelor of Pedorthics may be granted advanced standing for up to sixteen (16) units towards the Bachelor of Podiatry.

Commercial Services

The Hotel School

Southern Cross University acknowledges and pays respect to the ancestors, Elders and descendants of the Lands upon which we meet and study.We are mindful that within and without the concrete and steel of buildings these Lands always were and always will be Aboriginal Land.